Jana Norman was a former Abbey cook, Isle of Iona, Scotland. Activist for food sustainability and permaculture designer – “care for earth, care for people, enough for all” Shameless gourmand. Blood relative of one of America’s most critically acclaimed artisan bakers, David Norman, formerly Head Baker at TriBakery, NYC and now Head Baker/Partner, Easy Tiger, Austin TX.

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Donna Schaper’s Grace at The Table is Gracious and Delicious

by Rev. Jana Norman 07-22-2013
Photo courtesy Marcell Mizik/Shutterstock.com.

Man praying over a white plate while awaiting to be fed. Photo courtesy Marcell Mizik/Shutterstock.com.

Human beings seem to come with certain built-in spiritual inclinations, and gratitude is chief among them.

Parents and teachers think we have to be taught to say thank you, but maybe it just comes naturally. Gratitude is both accessible and enlivening.

Accessible because it’s as easy as paying attention to that which we might otherwise take for granted.

With gratitude, when our lover holds our hand for the umpteenth time it feels like it’s the first time and we’re grateful for them all over again. Or when we sit down to a plate of something humble and home-cooked it suddenly transports us to all those other meals in all those other places where we felt loved, accepted, and welcomed.